Alex Lawson’s STOCKS TO WATCH Never mind Sunak – City waits for Wolfson’s view

CHANCELLOR Rishi Sunak is preparing to deliver Wednesday’s Spring Statement, but Next chief Lord Wolfson’s verdict on the economy may be just as closely watched.

The Tory peer has a reputation for correctly calling Britain’s fortunes and the City will be keen to see how he assesses the cost of living crisis at Thursday’s annual results.

Analysts are expecting the retailer’s profits to top £800 million. But investors appear to have already delivered their verdict: the stock is down nearly a quarter from December’s all-time high.

Despite recent upbeat trading updates, there are fears that rising inflation and interest rates could curb shoppers’ spending.

At least Wolfson received some cheer from Deliveroo, where last year he took his first external directorship in 30 years.

The takeaway firm’s shares have been hammered since listing but last week spiked on a positive update, boosting Wolfson’s modest holding. Tasty.

DESPITE devastating scenes in Ukraine, RollsRoyce has not given up on its ambitions to build small nuclear reactors there.

Earlier this year, the British engineering firm entered talks with state operator Energoatom as part of a push to sell reactors in Eastern Europe.

Its decades-long strategy is likely to see reactors built in Britain first, but Tom Samson, head of Rolls’ nuclear operation, says he’s not about to ditch long-term plans in Ukraine. He tells me: ‘The war highlights the important role that nuclear can play in improving domestic security of supply.’

Samson stresses the project is only in its early stages, adding: ‘We are ready to resume those conversations when they are ready.’